The surname Charre is of French origin. It is derived from various places named Charré in France, primarily found in the Calvados and Manche regions. These locations were named after the Old French word "charre," which means a cart or carriage. As a result, the surname Charre likely originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a cart or chariot workshop, or a metonymic occupational name for a cart-maker. The name was also found in some parts of Belgium and Canada due to migration and settlement patterns over time.
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The meaning and origin of the last name Charre
The surname Charre is of French origin, derived from various place names throughout France. It is thought to have its roots in the Old French word "chare" which means "cart" or "wagon". This name was likely used as a topographic surname for someone who lived near a roadway or cart path. The name may also have been given as an occupational name for someone involved in the construction, maintenance, or use of carts and wagons. Over time, the spelling has evolved to its current form, with variations such as Charry, Charré, and Charre being found in France and other parts of the world due to migration and changes in recording practices over centuries.
Geographical distribution of the last name Charre
The surname Charre is predominantly found in France, particularly in the northern region of Pas-de-Calais and the eastern region of Alsace. It also has a presence in other French regions such as Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Beyond France, Charre is occasionally found in Belgium, mainly in the Wallonia region, reflecting its historical ties with France. There are also occurrences of this surname in Canada, primarily in Quebec, due to French immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Variants and spellings of the last name Charre
The surname Charre has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include: Charrier, Charriere, Charré, Charay, Charas, and Charey. These variations may occur depending on the region, family branch, or historical period. For instance, Charrier is found primarily in France, while Charey is a more rare variant that has been recorded historically in Normandy. Charrière can be found in Swiss French-speaking regions, while Charay and Charas are variations from Belgium and France respectively. It's essential to note that these variations may have different pronunciations, but they all originated from the same root word.
Famous people with the last name Charre
Notable individuals with the surname Charrière include:
1. Jean-Jacques Charpentier-Charrière (born 1943), a French actor and director known for his work in theatre and television. He has received numerous awards, including the Molière Award for Best Actor.
2. Pierre Charrière (1857-1936), a Swiss politician who served as the Federal Council of Switzerland from 1912 to 1920. As the head of the Department of Home Affairs, he played a significant role in modernizing the Swiss education system and promoting social welfare reforms.
3. Jacques Charrière (born 1958), a French actor who has appeared in films such as "The Big Blue" (1988) and "Cyrano de Bergerac" (1990). He has also worked extensively in theatre and television, earning him recognition as one of France's leading actors.
4. Frédéric Charrière (born 1995), better known by his stage name Fred again.., an English electronic music producer and musician who gained popularity with tracks like "Hot Chip" and "Little Alone." He has been nominated for several awards, including the BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize.
5. Olivier Charrière (born 1973), a Swiss racing driver who competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship. He is best known for his victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and his championship win in the European Le Mans Series.
Genealogical research on the last name Charre
The surname Charre, while less common, has roots traced back to France and Belgium. Historically, it is an occupational name derived from the Old French "char", meaning cart or wagon, indicating that the original bearer may have been a chariot driver, cart maker, or someone associated with such professions.
The Charre family can be found in various regions of France, particularly Normandy and Picardy. In Belgium, the name is also prominent, especially in Wallonia. Many early French immigrants settled in Canada, starting in the 17th century, which led to a significant presence of Charres in Quebec and Ontario.
In America, the Charre family migrated primarily from France and Canada during the 19th and early 20th centuries, with notable concentrations in Louisiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The name has also been recorded in smaller numbers in other states such as Texas, Illinois, and California.
Notable individuals with the surname Charre include Canadian politician Louis Charre, who served as Quebec's Minister of Finance, and American artist John-Michael Charrey, known for his work in film production design. The name continues to be present worldwide, reflecting its long and diverse history.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
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